Method and apparatus for treatment of a fluid

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the magnetic treatment of a fluid which produces at least one magnetic field for a period of time, T c  at or above a critical magnetic field strength, H c , the period T c  and the field strength H c  determined relative to one another and dependant upon the properties of the fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/596,198, filed Oct. 31, 2007, which is a National Phase ofPCT/AU2005/000688, filed May 13, 2005, and claims priority to AustralianPatent Application No. 2004902563, filed May 14, 2004 in the AustralianPatent Office.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to the treatment of fluids, particularlyhydrocarbons, fuels and oils and in particular to methods and devicesfor affecting the physical properties of the hydrocarbons using amagnetic field.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of magnetic devices and methods for the treatment ofhydrocarbons is known in the prior art. However, the mechanisms andeffects of such treatment are not well known and difficult to predict.

A sample of prior art in the general field of magnetic treatment offuels is as follows:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,621—Process and Apparatus for Effecting    Efficient Combustion.-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,296—Fuel Combustion and Magnetizing Apparatus    used therefor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,262—Fuel Treating Device.-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,145—Magnetic Fuel Line Device.-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,045—Permanent Magnetic Power Cell System for    Treating Fuel Lines for More Efficient Combustion and Less    Pollution.-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,807—Air Fuel Magnetizer.-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,546—Fuel Saving Device.-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,719—Fuel Activation Apparatus using Magnetic    Body.-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,420—Electromagnetic Device for the Magnetic    Treatment of Fuel.

The prior art documents, of which the above represent only a smallproportion, are specifically directed towards the treatment of a fuelstream for the purpose of either the prevention of scaling, corrosion orbiological growth in pipes or alternatively, to increase the combustionefficiency of the fuel when burnt in an engine.

However, there are also a number of documents which propose devices forthe “conditioning of a fluid or fuel” with the application of the devicebeing left vague. An outline of some of these documents is below:

WO 99/23381

Apparatus for Conditioning a Fluid

This document teaches an apparatus for conditioning a fluid flowing in apipe by means of a magnetic field. The fluid may be “fuel” and themagnet may be neodymium iron boron particles which are centred andcompressed to provide a particularly strong permanent magnet. Thedocument teaches the conditioning of a liquid using permanent magnets.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,872

Magnetic Device for the Treatment of Fluids

This document discloses a device for the magnetic treatment of fluidssuch as gases or liquids. The device includes a plurality of sets ofmagnets (permanent or electromagnets) for imparting a magnetic field toa fluid. The magnets are arranged peripherally about a pipe or otherfluid conduit within which is a flowing fluid, and the device utilisesmagnets having different magnetic field strengths for varying the fieldflux along the length of the pipe or fluid conduit. It is to be notedthat in the background of the invention portion of the specification,the problems discussed relate to the prevention of scaling, corrosion oralgae growth in pipes. Magnetic devices are also discussed in thecontext of improving the fuel consumption of, and reducing theundesirable omissions of engines.

Paraffins are a major problem in the production of some crude oils.Although paraffins usually remain in solution in the formation, as theoil is produced some of the light ends are lost which can alter thecrystalline pattern of the paraffin allowing it to precipitate and/orcreate a paraffin wax due to temperature changes. Approximately 40% ofthe cost to bring useable petroleum to the market is in the control ofparaffin.

It is known to use chemicals, usually acids and expensive biocides, toprevent, dissolve or remove these materials from the pipes. However,these are not always effective. The chemicals may be toxic or expensiveand frequently these chemicals provide a long term operating expense asthey must be continuously added to the fluid.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication isreferred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission thatthe publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art inAustralia or in any other country.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the magnetictreatment of fluids which may at least partially overcome at least oneof the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with auseful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an apparatus for the magnetictreatment of fluids which produces a change in at least one physical orrheological characteristic of the fluid treated, the apparatus includingat least one magnetic means for applying a magnetic field to a fluid.

In a more particular form, the invention resides in an apparatus for themagnetic treatment of fluids which produces at least one magnetic fieldfor a period of time, T_(c) at or above a critical magnetic fieldstrength, H_(c), the period T_(c) and the field strength H_(c)determined relative to one another and dependant upon the properties ofthe fluid.

In another form, the invention may reside in a method for the magnetictreatment of fluids, the method including the step of applying at leastone magnetic field to a fluid to be treated.

In a more particular form, the invention resides in a method for themagnetic treatment of fluids the method including the step of applyingat least one magnetic field for a period of time, T_(c) at or above acritical magnetic field strength, H_(c), the period T_(c) and the fieldstrength H_(c) determined relative to one another and dependant upon theproperties of the fluid.

The method and apparatus according to the present invention findparticular application when applied to fluids with hydrocarbons whetherthey be liquids or gaseous. It is to be appreciated that whileparticularly applicable to hydrocarbon fluids or those containinghydrocarbons (whether a mixture or not), the apparatus and method of thepresent invention may be used with other fluids. Generally, a simple wayof applying the magnetic field to the fluid may be as the fluid isflowing and as such, the field may be applied to a fluid flowing througha pipe or conduit.

While not wishing to be bound by theory, it appears a hydrocarbon fluidmay be notionally divided into “particles”, which can be defined aslarge molecules, suspended in a base fluid made up of smaller moleculeswhich are usually in the majority and thus form the base liquid. Theviscosity of the hydrocarbon fluid may therefore be approximated as theviscosity of a liquid suspension, which is very different tosingle-molecule liquid, such as water and liquid nitrogen. For the samevolume fraction, φ, the apparent viscosity depends on the particle size.As the particles get smaller, the apparent viscosity gets higher. Thiscan be seen from the Mooney equation [4),

η/η₀=exp[2.5φ/(1−kφ)],  (1)

where the crowding factor k increases as the particle size decreases.Some prior art experiments estimatedk=1.079+exp(0.01008/D)+exp(0.00290/D²) for micrometer-size particles,where D is the particle diameter in unit of micrometers.

Each of the large molecules or “particles” has a magnetic susceptibilityμ_(p) which is different from the magnetic susceptibility of the basefluid μ_(f). In a magnetic field, the particles are thus polarised alongthe field direction. If the particles are uniform spheres of radius a,in a magnetic field the dipole moment may be estimated by the formula:

m=Ha ³(μ_(p)−μ_(f))/(μ_(p)−2μ_(f))  (2)

where H is the local magnetic field, which should be close to theexternal field in dilute cases. The dipolar interaction between these todipoles induces magnetic dipoles, the strength of which is given by:

U=μ _(f) m ²(1−3 cos²θ)/r ³  (3)

where r is the distance between these two dipoles and θ is the anglebetween the straight line between the dipoles and the magnetic field. Ifthis interaction is stronger than the normal Brownian motion, these twodipoles will aggregate together to align in the field direction. If thedipole interaction is very strong and the duration of magnetic field islong enough, the particles will aggregate into macroscopic chains orcolumns, which will jam the liquid flow and increase the apparentviscosity, a well known phenomenon in magnetorheological (MR) fluids.

It has been surprisingly found that if the applied magnetic field is ashort pulse, the induced dipolar interaction does not have enough timeto affect particles at macroscopic distances apart, but forces nearbyones into small clusters. The assembled clusters are thus of limitedsize, for example of micrometer size. While the particle volume fractionremains the same, the average size of the “new particles” is increased.This may lead to the reduction in apparent viscosity because the valueof the crowding factor k, is reduced.

Preferably, the correlation between the strength of the magnetic fieldH_(c) and the period of application of the field, T_(c) may becalculated according to the following

Once the magnetic field applied to the fluid for T_(c) ceases, theinduced dipolar interaction will generally disappear. However,typically, the aggregated clusters of particles could sustain for aperiod of time due to hysteresis. After a time, the Brownian motion andother variable disturbances will typically act to break the assembleparticles down. After the assembled particles are completely broken down(which could take approximately 8 to 10 hours, breakdown time T_(b)),the rheological properties of the liquid suspension generally return tothe state of prior to the magnetic treatment. Therefore, it would bepreferable for applications in long distance or extended transport timefluid transport, for example fuel oil pipelines, that the magnetic fieldbe applied to the fluid at periods determined according to the breakdowntime, T_(b).

Suitably, there may be a plurality of apparatus applying the magneticfield spaced along a conduit or pipe transporting the fluid. Theseparation distance of the apparatus may be determined according to thevelocity of the fluid flow through the conduit and the breakdown time,T_(b). The application of the field and the spacing of the magneticassemblies on a pipe with respect to the flow rate through the pipe maybe adjusted or adjustable in order to maintain a lowered viscosity inthe fluid.

If the particle number density is n, two neighbouring particles aretypically separated about n^(−1/3). Using Equation (2), the dipolarinteraction between two neighbouring particles is about m²nμ_(f). Inorder for particles to cluster together, this interaction willpreferably be stronger than the thermal Brownian motion which acts topull neighbouring particles together. Suitably, the following parameter,a which may specify the competition between the dipolar interaction andthe thermal motion may then be arrived at

α=μ_(f) m ² n/(k _(B) T)≧1  (4)

where k_(B) is the Boltzmann constant and T is the absolute temperature.

With Equation (2), the critical field to be applied in order to realisethe invention may then be calculated as

H _(c) =[k _(B) T/(nμ _(f))]^(1/2)(μ_(p)+2μ_(f))/[α³(μ_(p)−μ_(f))]  (5)

If the applied magnetic field is weaker than H_(c), the thermal Brownianmotion may prevent particles from aggregating together. In order tochange the apparent viscosity of the liquid suspension, the appliedmagnetic field applied according to the invention, is suitably not lowerthan H_(c)

From the dipolar interaction, the force between two neighbouringparticles is generally about 6μ_(f)m²n^(4/3). Using the relation forStoke's drag force on a particle 6απη_(a)v, the particle's averagevelocity is suitably about v=μ_(f)m²n^(4/3)/(πη_(a)a).

The time required for two neighbouring particles to get together maythen be approximately about

τ=n ^(−1/3) /v=πη ₀(μ_(p)+2μ_(f))²/[μ_(f) n ^(5/3) a ⁵(μ_(p)+μ_(f))² H²]=πη₀ a/(n ^(2/3) k _(B) Tα).  (6)

If the duration of magnetic field is too much shorter than τ, theparticles may not have enough time to aggregate together. On the otherhand, if the duration of magnetic field is much longer than τ,macroscopic chains may be formed and the apparent viscosity of the fluidcould be increased instead of reduced.

Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, asuitable duration of the magnetic field should be in the order of τ.From Equation (6), it is clear that if the applied magnetic field isgetting stronger, the pulse duration should get shorter. Therefore, thestrength of the applied magnetic field, H_(c) may be determined relativeto the period of application of the field, T_(c).

In MR fluids (α≧100), the dipolar interaction may be too strong andforce the particles into chains along the field direction inmilliseconds. In petroleum oils, the induced magnetic dipolarinteraction may suitably be much weaker than that in MR fluids.Therefore, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, in which the fluid treated has an α-value between 1and 10, the apparent viscosity of a liquid suspension may be effectivelyreduced by selecting a suitable duration of application of a magneticfield.

The aggregated particles by the magnetic field which generally resultfrom use of the invention, may not be spherical. They may be elongatedalong the field direction and may rotate under the influence of magneticfield, which may further help the reduction of the apparent viscosity,

An apparatus may be provided embodying the invention. Generally, theapparatus for applying the magnetic field will be magnets. The magnetsmay be constructed of any appropriate material and may, for example, bepermanent magnets or electromagnets as known to the art or which mayhereinafter be developed. When the magnets are permanent magnets,especially suitable magnetic materials include ceramics, and rare earthmaterials, which particularly include neodymium-iron-boron magnets aswell as samarium-cobalt type magnets.

With the case of electromagnets, it will be apparent that these shouldbe attached to an appropriate electrical source so that theirelectromagnetic properties are maintained. The physical form of themagnets may be of any appropriate form and it is only preferred in thearrangements of the apparatus described herein.

The magnets should have a Curie temperature sufficiently high that theyretain their magnetic characteristics at the operating temperatures towhich they are exposed. For example, in an automobile engine, the fuelline magnets will lie above the engine block where relative heating willgreatly increase their temperature. Some magnets lose much of theirmagnetic field strength as their temperature rise. The Curie temperatureof Alnico magnets are 760° C. to 890° C., of Ceramic magnets (ferritemagnets) 450° C., of Neodymium 310° C. to 360° C. and of Samarium 720°C. to 825° C.

It is also to be understood that magnets which have been described abovewith reference to the invention may be magnets, as well as anycombination of a magnet and one or more elements which may act toimprove the penetration of the magnetic field into the conduit, or whichcondenses the field strength of the magnet. These include the use of oneor more pole pieces formed of iron or steel, especially low carboncontent cold rolled steel. Such a pole piece is preferably positionedintermediate one face or one pole of a magnet, and the exterior wall ofa conduit. Desirably, the portion of the pole piece in contact with theexterior wall of the conduit has a profile which approximates theprofile of the exterior wall of the conduit so that the pole piece maybe mounted onto the conduit. Typically, the portion of the pole piece incontact with the exterior wall has an arcuate profile which correspondsto the exterior radius of a conduit, especially a pipe. Where theconduit has a flat surface (such as for conduit having a square,triangular or rectangular shaped cross section) the portion of the polepiece in contact with the exterior wall may be a flat profile. Thepieces may be arranged on any side of any of the magnets, such asintermediate the magnet and the outer wall of the conduit, in contactwith at least a part of a magnet and at the same time perpendicular toexterior wall of the conduit. The pole piece may also be tapered suchthat the face of the pole piece which is in contact with the magnet isequal to or greater than the surface area of the side of the magnetwhich it contacts, but on its opposite face, the pole piece has a lessersurface area. In such an arrangement the pole piece is provided with atapered configuration which acts to concentrate the magnetic field atthe interface of the magnet with pole piece, to the smaller area at theopposite face of the pole piece which is at or near the exterior wall ofthe pipe.

With regard to the construction of the apparatus according to thepresent invention, any means which are suited for peripherally arrangingeach of the sets of magnets with respect to a conduit as described abovemay be used. The magnets need not physically contact the conduit, butthis may be desirable with a ferromagnetic conduit such as an iron orsteel pipe. These means may include appropriate mechanical means such asclamps, brackets, bands, straps, housing devices having spaces forretaining the magnets therein, as well as chemical means such asadhering the magnets to the exterior wall of the conduit.

Any suitable means including any of the means or devices which may havebeen described in any of the patents mentioned above, may be used. Infurther embodiments, it is also contemplated that the sets of magnetscould be an integral part of the conduit such as being included in theconstruction of the wall of the conduit as well. The sets of magnets mayalso be placed on the interior wall of the conduit. It is alsocontemplated that the sets of magnets used to practise the invention mayform an integral part of the wall of a conduit. In such an arrangement,there may be provided a conduit section with flanges, threads or othermeans of attachment which may be used to insert said conduit sectionin-line with the conduit within which flows a fluid. Such a conduitsection would include magnets in an arrangement in accordance with thepresent inventive concepts taught herein, included in or as part of thewall of the conduit section.

The method and apparatus of the present invention may also be applied toatomisation of hydrocarbon fluids. Atomisation generally occurs as aresult of interaction between a liquid and the surrounding air, and theoverall atomisation process involves several interacting mechanisms,among which is the splitting up of the larger drops during the finalstages of disintegration. In equilibrium, a droplet's radius isdetermined by the liquid's surface tension and the pressure difference,

r=2γ/Δp  (7)

where γ is the surface tension and Δp=p_(i)−p_(a) is the pressuredifference between pressure inside the droplet, p_(i), and the airpressure near the droplet surface, p_(a). The size r in Equation (7) isusually noted as the critical size. In the spray process, drops may beinitially much larger than r. They then may break again and again intosmall droplets. The influence of liquid's viscosity, by opposingdeformation of the drop, may increase the break-up time. Therefore, lowliquid viscosity favours quick breaking of drops and leads to smallersize of droplets.

In addition, in many complex fluids, if a fluid's viscosity is reduced,its surface tension also goes down. It is anticipated that a pulsedmagnetic field applied according to the method of the invention may alsoreduce the surface tension of these petroleum fuels as well as theirapparent viscosity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference tothe following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the viscosity of gasoline with 20%ethanol at 10° C. and 95 rpm after application of a magnetic field of1.3 T for 5 seconds.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the viscosity of gasoline with 10% MTBEat 10° C. and 95 rpm after application of a magnetic field of 1.3 T for1 second.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the viscosity of diesel at 10° C. and 35rpm after application of a magnetic field of 1.1 T for 8 seconds.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the viscosity of Sunoco crude oil at 10°C. and 10 rpm after application of a magnetic field of 1.3 T for 4seconds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a method for treatinghydrocarbons and particularly fuels, fuel oils and crude oils isprovided.

A number of examples applications were undertaken wherein a magneticfield was applied to a hydrocarbon fluid for a period of time, T_(c) ator above a critical magnetic field strength, H_(c). The period T_(c) andthe field strength H_(c) were determined relative to one another andwere dependant upon the properties of the fluid. The imposition of themagnetic field in this manner was found to reduce the apparent viscosityof the fluid.

In the examples, the method and apparatus were used to treat puregasoline, pure diesel and pure kerosene without any additives. However,since the bulk of the hydrocarbon fluids produced contains additives ofsome kind, the examples described herein were conducted on hydrocarbonfluids having composition which approximate the major types of fuelsused for automobiles and trucks and also on crude oil.

The examples were conducted using a Brookfield® digital viscometerLVDV-II+ equipped with a UL adapter. The Brookfield LVDV-II+ viscometermeasures fluid viscosity at a given shear rate. The principal ofoperation is to drive a spindle immersed in the test fluid through acalibrated spring. The viscous drag of the fluid against the spindle ismeasured by the spring deflection and measured with a rotary transducer.The LVDV-II+ has a measurement range of 15-2,000,000 cP.

The UL adaptor consists of a precision cylindrical spindle rotatinginside an accurately machined tube to measure the viscosity of lowviscosity fluids with a high accuracy. With the UL adaptor and spindle,viscosities in the range of 1-2,000 cP are measurable.

In the following description and the accompanying figures, the magneticfield was imposed at time zero (T=0).

Example 1 Gasoline with 20% Ethanol

Ethanol is an important additive in gasoline sold in some markets. Thisexample was conducted on gasoline with 20% ethanol. It is interesting tonote that pure gasoline has very low viscosity, about 0.8 cP at 10° C.However, ethanol has quite high viscosity, about 1.7cP at 10° C.Therefore, a mixture of gasoline with 20% ethanol has viscosity of about0.95 cP.

A strong magnetic field of 1.3 T was applied to the sample for 5seconds. The apparent viscosity dropped to 0.81 cP, but soon climbed toabout 0.865 cP, fluctuating there and gradually increasing, as seen inFIG. 1. However, after 3 hours, the apparent viscosity remained at 0.88cp, 8% below the original value. The apparent viscosity remainedsubstantially below the original value 200 minutes after the applicationof magnetic field. We expect that the viscosity would return to 0.95 cpin about 10 hours.

Example 2 Gasoline with 10% MTBE

MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is still widely used as gasolineadditive. This example was conducted on gasoline with 10% MTBE.Different from ethanol, MTBE has quite low viscosity. Therefore, amixture of gasoline with 10% MTBE at 10° C. has a viscosity of 0.84 cP,slightly higher than that of pure gasoline.

A magnetic field of 1.3 T was applied to the sample for about 1 second.The apparent viscosity immediately dropped to 0.77 cP. Then it wasfluctuating around 0.78 cP for several hours and gradually increasing,as can be seen from FIG. 2.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, after more than 2 hours, the viscosityremained about 7% below 0.84 cP, the previous value. The apparentviscosity remained substantially below the original value 150 minutesafter the application of magnetic field. This behaviour is quite similarto that of gasoline with ethanol in a pulse magnetic field, but we alsonoted that for gasoline with 10% MTBE the magnetic pulse duration shouldbe shorter than that for gasoline with 10% ethanol.

Example 3 Diesel Fuel

Diesel has much higher viscosity than that of gasoline. Example 3 wasconducted on pure diesel and diesel with 0.5% of ethylhexyl nitrate(EHN) as additive. The behaviour for both samples is quite similarbecause the volume fraction of the additive is very small.

As shown in FIG. 3, diesel has a viscosity of 5.80 cP at 10° C. which isconsiderably higher than that of gasoline. After application of amagnetic field of 1.1 T for 8 seconds, the apparent viscosity dropped to5.64 cP, then remained at 5.70 cP for several hours. The apparentviscosity remained below the original value 160 minutes after theapplication of magnetic field.

Further testing may be required to determine the optimal duration ofmagnetic pulse. On one hand, since diesel is more close to crude oil, itis expected that the magnetic field induced dipolar interaction shouldbe stronger than that in gasoline. On the other hand, since the diesel'soriginal viscosity is higher than that of gasoline, it is expected themagnetic pulse should have a slightly long duration. The results in FIG.3 indicate that a pulse magnetic field can reduce the apparent viscosityof diesel.

Example 4 Crude Oil

Example 4 was conducted with Sunoco crude oil. Since Sunoco crude oil islight crude oil and has low wax-appearance temperature, the example wasperformed at 10° C. As shown in FIG. 4, at that temperature Sunoco crudeoil has a viscosity about 26.2 cp. After application of a magnetic fieldof 1.3 T for 4 seconds, the apparent viscosity dropped to 22.2 cp, whichwas 16% lower than the original value. After the magnetic field wasturned off, the viscosity remained low, but was gradually increasing.

After 200 minutes, it reached 25.0 cp, but still 5% below the originalvalue. From extrapolation of this curve, it is expected that theviscosity will return to the original value after about 10 hours.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising”and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each ofthe stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or morefurther integers.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more combinations.

1. An apparatus for the magnetic treatment of a fluid including aplurality of electromagnets spaced along a pipe or conduit transportingthe fluid, each of the devices producing at least one magnetic field fora period of time, T_(c) at or above a critical magnetic field strength,H_(c), the period T_(c) and the field strength H_(c) determined relativeto one another and dependant upon the properties of the fluid.
 2. Anapparatus for the magnetic treatment of a fluid as claimed in claim 1wherein the critical magnetic field strength, H_(c) applied by each ofthe electromagnets is calculated according to the formula:H _(c) =[k _(B) T/(nμ _(f))]^(1/2)(μ_(p)+2μ_(f))/[α³(μ_(p)−μ_(f))] andwherein the period, T_(c) is equal to τ calculated according to theformula:τ=n ^(−1/3) /v=πη ₀(μ_(p)+2μ_(f))²/[μ_(f) n ^(5/3) a ⁵(μ_(p)+μ_(f))² H²]=πη₀ a/(n ^(2/3) k _(B) Tα) in which n is the particle number densityof notional particles in a base fluid; v is a notional particle averagevelocity; η₀ is the viscosity of the base fluid; μ_(p) is the magneticsusceptibility of the notional particles; μ_(f) is the magneticsusceptibility of the base fluid; a is the radius of a spheroidalparticle; H is calculated according to the formulae above; k_(B) isBoltzmann's constant; T is absolute temperature; and α is calculatedaccording to the formula:α=μ_(f) m ² n/(k _(B) T) in which m is the dipole moment between theparticle and the base fluid and the separation distance of the devicesdetermined according to the velocity of the fluid flow through the pipeor conduit and a breakdown time, T_(b), which is proportional to theperiod T_(c), and the field strength H_(c).
 3. An apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein production of the magnetic field is achieved using oneor more magnetic means.
 4. An apparatus for the magnetic treatment of afluid including at least one apparatus according to claim 1 peripherallyarranged about a conduit through which the fluid flows.
 5. An apparatusfor the magnetic treatment of a fluid as claimed in claim 4 wherein aportion of the electromagnet in contact with an exterior wall of theconduit has a profile which approximates a profile of the exterior wallof the conduit.
 6. An apparatus for the magnetic treatment of a fluid asclaimed in claim 5 wherein the portion of the electromagnet in contactwith the exterior wall has an arcuate profile which corresponds to anexterior radius of the conduit.
 7. An apparatus for the magnetictreatment of a fluid as claimed in claim 4 further including appropriatemechanical means chosen from the group containing clamps, brackets,bands, straps, housing devices having spaces for retaining theelectromagnets magnets therein, chemical means such as adhering theelectromagnets to the exterior wall of the conduit is used to mount theelectromagnets to the exterior wall of the conduit.
 8. An apparatus forthe magnetic treatment of a fluid as claimed in claim 1 wherein theelectromagnets are placed on the interior wall of the pipe or conduit.